II．研究報告 1．Japan’s University Entrance Examination Reform in Deadlock : Why Were the Planned Changes Postponed in One of the Most Revolutionary and Comprehensive Education Reforms Since World War II

This paper discusses Japan’s recent University Entrance Examination Reform, particularly the postponed planned introduction of three major components: i.e., the introduction of free-description questions in Japanese and Mathematics, private eligibility and English certification tests, and the “proactiveness, multifacetedness, and cooperativeness” applicant evaluation criteria in the exam. First, he describes how Japanese high school education has been changed by the National Center Test for University Admissions. University Then he reviews the High School and University Articulation Reform which is the larger framework of the Entrance Examination Reform. Second, the unsolved problems with the three components of the reform that caused the postponement are examined. Finally, the necessity of international academic discussion through exchanges of experiences is emphasized.